Pinewood sets up L.A. office

Move to help boost international business

Pinewood Studios Group, which operates Pinewood, Shepperton and Teddington Studios in Blighty, is opening a sales office in Los Angeles.

The launch comes as part of a mission to develop the company’s international strategy and extend its brand to other countries, which include Germany, Canada and Malaysia. Paul Baker, Pinewood Studios Group sales director, recently relocated to L.A. to establish the office in Culver City, which will coordinate sales for international ventures.

“These new offices mean we can better manage and coordinate our global offering,” said Nick Smith, commercial director of Pinewood Studios Group. “In particular, our new office in L.A. will build on the international recognition of the brand.”

In 2008, Pinewood expanded into Canada and sealed a comprehensive sales and marketing deal for FilmPort, Toronto’s biggest studio, rebranding it Pinewood Toronto Studios. The following year, Pinewood pacted with Malaysia’s government to set up a studio in the country, which is expected to be finished in 2012.

In February, Pinewood Studios and Germany’s Studio Hamburg formed a joint venture, dubbed Pinewood Studios Berlin Film Services, which allows filmmakers to take advantage of infrastructure and services in Germany and Blighty.

Recent film and TV productions that have lensed at Pinewood facilities include “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” “Captain America: The First Avenger” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.”